Beware tiredness on summer road trips

Perrys is reminding motorists to be
wise to the risks of tiredness on journeys. The advice comes as many
families across the UK are embarking on long road trips over the summer
holidays.

Fatigue Factor

Perrys’ motoring journalist, Tim Barnes-Clay, comments: “It is
broadly acknowledged that fatigue is a key contributory element in road
accidents, especially in the very early hours of the morning. Many car crashes
happen because of a driver’s reduced competence to respond swiftly and safely
if a hazardous situation develops.”

Rest Well

Tim adds: “If you’re about to do a long road trip, then it’s
essential to be suitably rested before you get going – and to make
sure you build in time for rests on the way. Statistics show that motorists
most at risk from a fatigue-related accident include: shift workers, young men,
company car users and lorry drivers. Around 85 per cent of motorists who cause
fatigue-related smashes are male, and over one third of these are aged below
30.”

Highway Code

The Highway Code offers
specific guidance to minimise the risk of being in a fatigue-related accident.
Advice includes:

The
importance of taking a 15-minute break after every two hours or 100 miles
of driving

Proper
journey planning

The
times of day and night to avoid

Avoiding
certain medications

The
importance of overnight stops on long road trips

Danger Zone

Tim Barnes-Clay concludes: “It is
not only professional drivers at work who are at heightened risk of a fatigue
accident. If you’re on a long road trip as part of a holiday, or if you need to
set off in the early hours to get a long-haul flight, then you are also in the
danger zone.

“Once again, planning is fundamental to safety. Shun alcohol
if you know you need to drive, and
contemplate stopping somewhere rather than risk a journey if you have had very
little sleep in the 24 hours prior to setting off.”